black hardware plating for mid 50's ferrari | FerrariChat

black hardware plating for mid 50's ferrari

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by enio45, Dec 13, 2014.

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  1. enio45

    enio45 Formula 3
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    #1 enio45, Dec 13, 2014
    i have used black zinc before in some restorations but have also seen folks using black oxide.

    All the rear suspension bolts on the 58 ellena look to be black something?

    What is the recommended plating for the mid 50's ferrari cars?

    Anything special i need to ask for related to the plating - i have read about hot and cold process as well.

    Appreciate the advise....
     
  2. Onebugatti

    Onebugatti Formula Junior
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    #2 Onebugatti, Dec 13, 2014
    Black oxide provides minimal protection against corrosion, is only a tollerance issue coating and needs oil to act as the true protector as the material is pourous. Never have I seen it used on a 50's Ferrari car, and can not understand why Ferrari would choose anything other than paint in the 1950's, Paint being much more corroision protective. The material coating converts the surface of iron to another material called FE304, or Magnetite. In general it was not used by bestoke car manufactures in the 1950's, but possiby on fasteners by the fastener suppliers.
     
  3. lancia

    lancia Formula Junior
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    #3 lancia, Dec 13, 2014
    Disagree with view that black oxide was never used by Ferrari the 1950s. Black oxide is yes used on numerous hardware items on Ferraris of the 1950s and 1960s. LOBO fasteners (nuts, bolts), studs, washers, yes. Throttle linkage assemblies a good example, the center generator drive, hubs, miscellaneous machined steel parts, some Weber hardware, etc. etc. Yes, oil is needed for full protection. It is surprisingly durable if maintained (and old Ferraris leak plenty of oil so it's automatic!). Hot process is far superior to cold. Best result and longevity with meticulous preparation like 100% glass bead blasting. Paint is completely impractical on close fitting machined components. Zinc relatively useless as a plating in my opinion. It sacrifices quickly with any lengthy exposure to poor conditions.
     
  4. lancia

    lancia Formula Junior
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    #4 lancia, Dec 13, 2014
    Relative to my previous post, I mean that paint is impractical on small machined hardware items. Of course, Ferrari painted machined castings.
     
  5. enio45

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    #5 enio45, Dec 13, 2014
    agree with lancia - having done a 66 330 car, I'm seeing a lot of the same hardware underneath the ellena and it was all black XXXX something. Suspension bolts, nuts and washers, rear end tubes and backing plates bolts, shackle bolts nuts, front suspension bolts etc are all black.

    Question remains - is it zinc or oxide, which is better to go with for an orig look. Clearly i have NOT found any black phosphate used on the car.

    As always - appreciate the advise - looking to do this one time!!
     
  6. lancia

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    #6 lancia, Dec 13, 2014
    It is NOT zinc in my experience. Black oxide generally correct for black hardware in my opinion on an early car.
     
  7. John Vardanian

    John Vardanian F1 Rookie

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    #7 John Vardanian, Dec 14, 2014
    The shop that rebuilt my brake booster did the "J" hooks in black zinc to mimic the original black oxide. They are black alright, but I have to admit I don't like the look of them.

    john
     
  8. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

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    #8 Bryanp, Dec 14, 2014
    I prepped and re-did the black oxide finish on hundreds of fasteners on the '55 Mondial. Thorough prep is critical.
     
  9. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #9 Smiles, Dec 14, 2014
  10. DWR46

    DWR46 Formula 3
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    #10 DWR46, Dec 14, 2014
    Most of the hardware on an Ellena is black oxide. It is not a long lasting process, but Ferrari never meant for the cars to last very long either.
     

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